Macro Menu

Macros work like a tape recorder. However, instead of recording sounds, macros record your keystrokes and mouse actions.

When you play a macro, the program automatically repeats the recorded keystrokes in the same order in which you recorded them. Macros save effort and time. You can use macros to perform any complicated or repetitive task quickly.

Select Tools from the top menu bar and then select Macros to display the Macro menu or press F11.

Or, to display the Macro menu quickly, press Shift+F1.

You can record up to 1000 events in a macro. Each event is a keystroke or mouse movement.

*** When working with macros it is advisable that you have a recent backup of your database, as a safety precaution. ***

After you have recorded a macro, you can save it to a disk file to be retrieved and run at another time.

Batch processes tax the system heavily, simulating the actions of one hundred users at a time! For fastest batch operations, use single user mode.

Record Macro

To record a macro:

1. Press SHIFT+F1,R.

2. You will see the word RECORD displayed in the top right corner of the screen.

3. Press the keystrokes you want to record in EXACTLY the sequence you want recorded.

4. Press SHIFT+F1,S to stop recording. The RECORD indicator will be extinguished.

Execute Macro

To execute a macro that you have just recorded:

1. Press SHIFT+F1,R.

2. Collect! will perform the sequence of steps that you have just recorded.

3. Press the Esc key to cancel playing the macro.

This macro is only in memory. If you want to play it later, you will have to save it first. Refer to the section below entitled Save Macro.

Clear Macro

To clear the recorded macro: Press SHIFT+F1,C.

Play Macro

To play back the recorded macro: Press SHIFT+F1,E or press Alt+F2. The program will play back your recorded macro, replaying the keystrokes or mouse actions exactly the way you recorded them.

Load Macro

To LOAD AND RUN a macro stored in a disk file:

1. Press SHIFT+F1,P.

2. Select the file you want to play.

3. Press Enter to play the macro.

4. Press Escape to cancel playing the macro.

To LOAD a macro file into macro memory without running it:

1. Press SHIFT+F1,L.

2. Select the file you want to load.

3. Press Enter to load the macro.

4. Press Escape to cancel loading the macro.

Save Macro

To save a recorded macro to a file:

1. Record the macro.

2. Press SHIFT+F1,S.

3. Type the name of the file and press Enter. The file will be stored with a .mac extension. (For example, mymacro.mac)

Please refer to your Windows Help for more information regarding file naming conventions.

Delete Macro

To delete a macro file from disk:

1. Press SHIFT+F1,D.

2. Select the file you want to delete.

3. Press Enter to delete the file.

4. Press Escape to cancel deleting the file.

Restricting Access Rights

Access to the Macro Menu can be completely restricted by assigning rights to the appropriate menu item, that is 304011 Tools:Macros.

By disabling the Macro Menu, all the alternate access points will be disabled as well. The alternate access points for the Macro Menu are F11, F12, SHIFT+F1, and SHIFT+F2.

When access is denied, the standard access rights dialog will appear and reveal the ID of the appropriate menu item.

Help

Select this for help on the Macro Menu and related topics.